The Irish Girl and her Soul mate.

Baby Girl

Her sweet voice rang across the bar as it's occupants played music and joined in at times. when she finished the song her eyes automatically locked on mine as I bolted from the doorway towards her.

"Freya" I called

"Tristan" shock etched her face. "What are you doing here?"

"I needed to see you. May I have a word?" I asked fully aware that all eyes were on me.

She looked around the bar at all the eyes strained on us.

"Sure that might be best." She agreed. "Mammy I'll be okay I'll see you back at the house" she said to a lady sitting staring at me her eyes narrowed. Sitting amoungst a group of disapproving ladies I felt I was being marked by the mob. Freya read my face and followed my gaze to their disapproving faces.

"Reel it in Mammy" she warned rolling her eyes. "Or I'll air the dirty laundry in front of the village gossips" she added pushing me towards the door.

"Now I see where Mrs O Connor gets it" I laughed

"Mrs O Connor would be ate alive by them lot" she answered. The sea waves crashed nearby as she walked towards the sea front. Salt hung in the air.

"Mrs O Connor is apperently my village gossip. She heard your news Freya" I sighed as she paused. "Why didn't you ring me or text me?"

"It's not something you tell someone over the phone. When I last saw you I had been so unreasonable which apparently was pregnancy hormones I might add, and you didn't call me or come after me after the fight. I thought we were done" she sat on the low wall by the sea front.

"Ok I get that" I agreed. "I should of personally reached out to you or come after you. I asked Mercy to send you flowers she said you declined them"

Freya snorted a sarcastic laugh

"Mercy" she muttered sadly

"I know. It seems I may have a problem with Mercy that I'll have to face when I go home" I reassured her "Mercy was meddling in my personal life. She told me you were with Mark"

"I wasn't in a relationship with Mark but I was pregnant and scared. Some one was still stalking me. They broke in one night and took photos of me sleeping. Mark was there he made me feel safe but we had no romantic relationship." She explained.

"Broke in? s**t Freya that's not good"

"No it's not good." She replied I could see her eyes filling with tears. "Tristan I tried to tell you but Mercy kept telling me you didn't want children and you had said it yourself you didn't want a baby. It felt like a hopeless situation" her tears were falling now

"Did you know that night we fought?" I asked swallowing the lump that was rising in my throat.

"No. I found out that day I collapsed and you took me to the hospital. Mercy was ease dropping and found out too then. I was nearly ten weeks at that point. I had just found out I was scared and shocked and she was there in my hospital room telling me it would ruin your life and I didn't know what to do" Freya told me her voice cracking with sadness and grief.

"Oh Freya I'm sorry" I pulled her into a hug. She was stiff at first but then her body relaxed against my chest "I'm here now and I'm going nowhere" I added. As soon as I said that an emotional dam burst in Freya as she began to sob. I stood there holding her tight for as long as she needed.

*****************************

Freya

Tristan showing up in Galway was certainly a shock but it was nice to have everything out in the open. My heart felt lighter. We sat on the harbor wall together. The baby began to kick

"The baby's kicking" I smiled. "Want to feel?"

I took Tristan's hand and guided it to where the kicking was. His face lit up

"That's my baby?" He asked

"Well its actually your daughter" I smiled.

"I'm having a baby girl?" He asked. I nodded. He leaned closer to my bump. "Hey my princess I'm your daddy." He whispered to my bump. My heart swelled and tears filled my eyes again.

"What's wrong" he asked alarmed.

"Nothing. These are happy tears" I replied. "You're going to be a brilliant daddy" I added.

He cupped my face in his hands

"And partner to you" he smiled kissing me. "Because your going to have to help me with all this baby stuff. I don't know what I'm doing" he added laughing.

"Me either but we'll work it out. I hear the key is to keep the baby alive" I laughed as he hugged me close.

"I guess I should take you home and find somewhere to stay" he added

"No chance you can stay with me. Come on." I pulled him to his feet "it's time you faced Mrs Ash my Mammy" I added.

"And Mr Ash?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Mr Ash is the least of your worries"I laughed. "My father goes with the flow."

"Going with the flow is good" Tristan answered

"My mother is the flow" I warned as Tristan signaled his car. Pulling up outside my home the house was still completely lit up. Tristan grabbed his bag from the back.

"Is it safe to dismiss my driver for the night?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"Is Tristan Devon the billionaire afraid of my mother?"

"Terrified" he sighed

"Admitting it is the first step to surviving Mammy" I smirked as he dismissed the driver and I opened the door to the kitchen.

Mammy was sat at the kitchen table peeling vegetables for tomorrows meals. My father who would normally be in bed for his before Dawn start on the farm was busy shuffling through the farms delivery dockets.

"Hi Daddy" I smiled putting my arms around his neck and planting a quick kiss on his cheek as I always did. "Mammy" I nodded keeping my distance.

"Don't be hiding behind Daddy buttering him up I hate when you do that" she warned knowing me all too well.

I smirked "I'm not Mammy come on. This is Tristan Devon" I added introducing him. "Tristan this is my Mammy the executioner of Galway Evelyn Ash" I added. My father stiffled a snigger.

"Freya" my mother snapped "and your worse" she turned on my father

"Joe Ash." He stood and held out his hand to Tristan who shook it before gathering up the papers

"That it ?" My mother asked him annoyance radiating from her being

"What would you like me to do Evelyn get the shot gun make a few treats? The damage is done and Freya's a grown woman" a twinkle glittered in Daddy's eye. Tristan shifted uneasy.

"Mammy cut it out" I snapped. "Tristan is staying here for a few days to get to know everyone" I added. "Now I'm going to show him up to my room because he's had a long flight and we're all tired" I lead him out of the kitchen

"Well done Joe" my mother snapped at my dad "a fine show of us you made in front of him" I shook my head silently laughing as we paused out of sight on the stairs.

"Aye sorry about that Evelyn. I had forgotten to load the shotgun" he shot back.

"Aren't you as smart as your daughter, a right funny man" she added. "No wonder you two make such fun of me"

I opened my bedroom door and lead Tristan inside. He remained speach less

"Mammy has a bark on her but she's alright really" I said. "I think she likes you"

"Likes me? Are you serious Freya?"

"If she didn't she'd have got the shot gun herself"I laughed

"It's scary I don't know if your joking" he replied. I burst out laughing.

"Here I've some pictures of the baby if you want to see them?" I added taking the sonogram photos from my bedside locker.

"Yes please" he smiled as we sat together looking at the pictures. "Has she a name yet?" He asked.

"No she hasn't. I haven't thought about one" I answered. "Maybe we could pick one together?"

"I'd like that" he pulled me close as we looked at the pictures together.

Tristan and I spent a few days together me showing him how life on the farm works. He helped me feed animals, repair fencing and milk cattle.

"I could get use to this life." Tristan laughed.

"Tristan Devon Billionaire turned farmer" I joked. "But I have noticed there's no paparazzi yet" I added.

"Be careful what you wish for. They will eventually find us. They always do" he sighed. "I've to go into Galway tomorrow to do a few business things. I'm assuming you are okay here without me?" He laughed.

"I think I'll manage" I replied.

"Dinner" my mother yelled from the farm house to where Tristan and I stood. We wandered back to eat. My mother had changed her tune and was now a firm fan of Tristan offering him seconds and asking him about his family. She seemed more at ease with him now.

"So what are your plans for the rest of your stay?" She asked.

"Well I hadn't expected to take a holiday so I think I'll be flying home Monday." He replied.

"That's four days time. Ah well Freya I'm sure you'll survive a week alone with us after he leaves. Work is important" she added.

"Well Freya could fly home with me" he locked eyes with me

"Don't be silly. Money or not paying to change a flight ticket is plain wasteful" my mother fussed.

"Mammy Tristan owns his own plane."

"He what now?" She paused.

"Has a private plane" I repeated.

"Is it safe?" She spluttered

"No mammy it's a death trap" I rolled my eyes.

"No for Tristan to fly all that way himself?" She explained giving me a dirty look.

"No Mrs Ash I don't fly it I've a pilot and crew" Tristan smiled.

"Oh thank God. " She went back to pottering around. I rolled my eyes at Tristan and he wagged a disapproving finger at me.

The following morning Tristan headed off into town with his driver. I pottered around the farm under my father's critical eye. After he and I had a disagreement about me moving a bale of hay whilst pregnant I stormed up to my room to rest. I drifted off in peaceful sleep.

When I opened my eyes Tristan was smiling down on me.

"Hey" he smiled.

"Hey." I replied.

"Your mother is in the car I was hoping you would come with us. I've a surprise" he added helping me sit upright.

"Okay" I looked dubiously at him.

"Wash your face and brush your hair and meet me downstairs" he smirked.

I did as he suggested and pulled on a jumper before wandering down the stairs. The driver held the door open for the three of us. We drove a short distance to the coast and and another ten minutes to along the sea cliffs. The car slowed at a gate leading up to a big white house. A man opened the gate and signalled for us to follow him up the drive.

"Tristan?" I asked confused as he helped me out the front door had a large pink bow on it.

"This is your new house Freya. It's solely in your name. Obviously I want us to live as a family in New York but I never again want you to feel like you did when we were apart. This house will always give you and my baby girl somewhere to go." He explained.

"Tristan" I sighed.

"No Freya I mean it. You should never feel stuck with me. I want you and our child to always have a choice. Being in the public eye is tough. This house will be your safe space" he hugged me close. The man who is clearly the relator asked was I ready to see the house. I nodded numbly.

The house was beautiful white marble floors with floor to ceiling windows spanning the whole back of the house revealing the open sea in a breath taking view. The kitchen was grey slate and white marble. A huge fire place was the center piece of the sitting room. A balcony over hung the cliff. The master bedroom also had floor to ceiling windows that you could see out clearly but where blacked out so no one could look in. The bath in the master bedroom was also facing out to the awesome view. It had five bedrooms en suite and a playroom.

"Tristan it's too much" I gasped.

"I think it's perfect" Tristan responded. "I'm sure your mother will keep an eye on it whilst we are in New York." He added as he went to speak to the realtor.

"Freya, the house is divine and he just bought it for you?" My mother whispered.

"Yes" I nodded

"How?"

"He's a billionaire, whatever this house cost is probably a drop in the bucket for him" I replied.

"It's just strange. Nice of him but strange"

"I know the lavish lifestyle thing is hard to get used to"

"That's going to be one spoilt baby girl" my mother added resting her hand on my stomach.

"Tell me about it" I muttered.

After signing a few papers we drove back towards home.

"You can leave me at the bottom of the laneway I want to cast my eye on the fence I'll cut over the field" mammy said as the driver slowed.

"Sure sure" I nodded. "Tell Winnie I was asking for her. Hope your still young enough to jump the creek" I added smugly.

"I'll jump that creek till my dying day" she smirked back slamming the door shut.

"We could of driven her up" Tristan added.

"Jumping the creek is the quickest way to get to Winnie's" I replied. "She's fine, you have given her a spare key to the new house. She'll have Winnie up there in no time" I added.

"So are you going to fly back with me Monday?" He asked as we drove up the home driveway.

"Yeah I guess. There is no reason not to?" I smiled.

"Are you going to move back into my apartment?" He suddenly asked. I hesitated slightly thinking it over. "We could look at new ones or at my estate outside of New York then you can decide" he rushed.

"No it's not that" I added. "It's just I need Mercy gone I know she's good at her job but I can't" I began.

"Agreed consider it done. I'll even go one better and look for a male assistant" he laughed.

"Not required I don't do jealous" I smiled. "Billionaire or not my motto is plenty of fish in the sea"

"Not like me" he laughed pulling me close and kissing me.

Sunday morning arrived and our return to New York loomed I awoke to Tristan kissing me lightly

"Morning" I muttered.

"Morning" he replied.

"Ready to leave and go back to reality?" I asked

" I'm ready to go back and live my life with you" he smiled.

"Good answer" I laughed pulling him close.

Later that day I sat alone with my mother.

"Well it's certainly been an eventful few weeks." She started.

"It has" I agreed.

"You seem happy"

"I am" I paused "maybe a little overwhelmed but happy"

"Well that's what matters"

"You know when we go back to New York this is going to hit the papers." I added.

"Yes and for that reason I was going to suggest you invite Sean's parents over this evening and break it to them personally." My mother gently placed a hand on my stomach.

"Fair enough" I agreed.

Later that day my mother welcomed Sean's mother and sister in for tea and a catch up. His father was stuck at the farm and couldn't come. I was seated at the table as instructed by my mother.

"Welcome" she added hugging Mrs Davis and Julie" as they entered.

"Freya" she moved towards me and I stood to embrace her, Julie followed suit. We sat around the table my mother busied herself pouring tea.

"It was so lovely of you to think of us on your visit home" Mrs Davis smiled sipping her tea.

"Of course I think of you often" I answered. "But I must admit I have a little bit of an agenda here today" I added sighing.

"Oh" she raised an eyebrow.

"I...." A lump rose in my throat. " I "

My mother placed a hand on my shoulder "Freya is visiting with her boyfriend Tristan Devon"

"Okay" Mrs Davis looked confused.

"Freya is pregnant" she added.

Silence fell over the kitchen

"I just felt maybe you should hear it from me. " I whispered gathering myself to speak. After a moment Julie stood and moved towards me wrapping me in another embrace.

"My deepest congratulations Freya. I am truly delighted for you" she smiled.

"You are?"

"Of course. I wished nothing less for you after Sean died. I remember calling to see you here three months after he had passed to try and get you to get up out of bed and back to college. We were all genuine when we said we wanted you to live your life" she smiled. "Right mom" she added turning to Mrs Davis.

"Absolutely." She swallowed. "Forgive me Freya I am happy for you but I must admit this moment is tough also. I had imagined this moment with this news coming from you and Sean."she admitted. I nodded.

"I understand"

"I am really happy for you" she added shaking herself.

"Thank you"

"We knew you were seeing someone in America."she added.

"Yea. I like gossip magazines. There you were dating a billionaire. Needless to say I am impressed." Julie laughed.

"Perhaps we could meet the lovely Tristan?" Mrs Davis asked.

"Sure he's upstairs keeping out of the way" I laughed.

"Quick go get him. When you agreed to marry my son I gained a daughter to my family and your still part of it no matter what. Let me meet him" she added. I stood and fetched Tristan.

Tristan rose to the occasion and we had a pleasant evening with Sean's family after they had left I felt a weight rise off me.

"Well?" My mother asked

"It went well" I agreed. "I guess it was closure"

"Yes it was. Life is cruel at times Freya. But this new chapter of yours is an amazing thing. Live it with no guilt." She kissed my head and headed out up the farm yard.